Cleaning apparatus



Sept. 30, 1958 A. P. THOMAS 2,854,284

CLEANING APPARATUS a Filed June 29. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 oeong o e o A an ATTORNEYS p 1958 A. P. THOMAS CLEANING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 29. 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent CLEANING APPARATUS Anthony P. Thomas, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Oalrite Products, Inc., a corporation of New York Application June 29, 1955, Serial No. 518,803

3 Claims. (Cl. 299-87) The invention relates to a device for applying hot cleaning solutions to surfaces, and more particularly to a gun for use in such apparatus.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a cleaning gun of improved construction in which a cleaning solution is drawn up by steam on the Venturi principle and is ejected with the steam against the surface to be cleaned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gun which can be handled by the operator without danger of his being burned by the heat of the steam. This makes it unnecessary to use the dowel sticks or aprons which have heretofore been conventional in the handling of such guns.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gun with which the issuing spray can be directed at different angles without turning the whole gun and the connecting hoses,

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gun in which the cleaning solution is heated to the most effective degree by the steam Within the barrel of the gun, but is not over-heated, since overheating will result in vapor binding and consequent interference with Venturi action.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a steam gun which is much lighter in weight and less expensive than conventional ones of the automatic solution-lifting type.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a steam gun so constructed as to have prefect balance during operation with high pressure steam.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a gun of durable construction, formed of few parts which are easily replaced, and having a long life.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following description, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a cleaning system embodying the invention;

Fig. 2a shows in section the butt end of a cleaning gun embodying the invention;

Fig. 2b is a continuation of Fig. 2a showing the nozzle end of the gun;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 33 of Fig. 2a;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 44 of Fig. 2b; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2a.

The gun according to the invention includes a metal body portion 2. Formed in the body portion are a steam passage 4 and a solution passage 6. Steam passage 4 may be connected by valved pipe 8 to a steam boiler 19, while solution pipe 6 may be connected by valved pipe 12 to a solution tank 14.

A metal steam pipe 16 is threaded into the end of 2,854,284 Patented Sept. 30, 1958 steam passage 4 and extends to the nozzle end of the gun. The body 2 contains a space 18 around steam pipe 16 communicating with solution passage 6. A metal solution pipe 20 surrounds steam pipe 16. Pipe 20 has on its periphery two spaced annular rings 22, between which is located a sealing ring 24. A ring 26 threaded on the outside of the body holds rings 22 between it and a shoulder 28 on the body, with snflicient play to allow the pipe 20 to turn about its longitudinal axis in the body, while sealing ring 24 prevents the loss of solution or leakage of suction.

Inside of pipe 20 at the nozzle end is a spacer 30, which is attached to the outside of steam pipe 16 so as to center the steam pipe inside the solution pipe, this spacer being turnable within the solution pipe. A fitting 32 welded on the free end of the solution pipe threadedly receives a bent metal nozzle 34, the steam pipe terminating within the straight part of this nozzle.

On the outside of the steam pipe 16 is a layer 36 of heat insulating material such as neoprene, or other synthetic, heat resistant plastic. This extends from a point near the inner end of the steam pipe (to the rear of the point of entry of solution passage 6 into chamber 18) to a point near the free end of the steam pipe, for example about 6 to 8 inches from that end. The length of the body of insulation on the periphery of the steam pipe may be varied for the purpose of predetermining and regulating the temperature of the steam and solution spray ejected from the gun nozzle.

On the solution pipe 20, at a position convenient to the operator, is a hand grip 38, preferably made of rubher, to enable the operator to rotate the solution pipe 20 about its longitudinal axis. This grip 38 is movable along the length of solution pipe 20.

Body 2 is for the most part shielded by a thin sheet 40 of perforated metal spaced from the body to leave an air space therebetween. A metallic shovel-type handle 42 has a socket 44 separated from the body by insulation 46 and secured to the body by a bolt 48.

With such an arrangement, when the valves are opened,

steam from the boiler will issue through pipe 16 and will exert an injector or Venturi action on the cleaning solution to eject it through nozzle 34 against the surface to be cleaned.

Insulation 36 prevents the heating of the solution to such a degree by the steam as to make it necessary for the gun to be fitted with aprons, dowel sticks or other exterior insulating material in order to protect the operator. Obviously this makes it much easier to handle and manipulate the gun. Also, the solution is not preheated to such a degree as to cause vapor binding and consequent interference with the Venturi action. On the other hand, the solution is exposed to the heat of the steam pipe for a short distance before the admixture with the steam, allowing some preheating which improves the cleaning action of the spray.

The outer tube can be turned freely by the operator so as to turn the nozzle and direct the spray in different directions, without turning the gun bodily a has heretofore ordinarily been necessary.

The gun according to the invention has a relatively small member of simple parts which are easily replaceable, and is therefore inexpensive to make, durable, easy to repair and light in weight.

While I have described herein one embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereby except within the scope of the claims hereto or hereinafter appended.

I claim:

1. A cleaning gun comprising a body portion with a steam passage and a solution passage therein, a steam pipe having its inner end secured in and extending from the body portion and communicating with said steam Centric With and extending beyond the free. endofthe steam pipe, means holding the free end of the steam pipe, means holding the free end of the ,steam'pipe in spaced relation With the free end of the solution pipe, and a body of insulation on the periphery of the steam pipe extending from the inner end and terminating at an intermediate point thereof.

2. A cleaning gun comprising a body portion with a steam passage and a solution passage therein, a steam pipe having its inner end secured in and extending from the body portion and communicating With said steam passage, said body portion having a space therein around the steam pipe communicating with the solution passage, a solution pipe, means mounting the solution pipe in the body to turn about its longitudinal axis, said solution pipe being substantially concentric with and extending beyond the free end of the steam pipe,'means holding the free end of the steam pipe in spaced relation with 'the free end of the solution pipe, at body of insulation on the periphery of the, steam pipe extending from the inner end and terminating at an intermediate point thereof, and a deflecting nozzle on the free end of the solution pipe.

3. In combination with a gun as claimed in claim 2, means to supply steam to said steam passage and cleaning solution to said solution passage.

- References Cited in th'e1filc of this patent UNITED STATES PA ENTS 1,734,927 Tritz Nov. 5, 1929 1,748,604 Hei'mburger Feb, 25, 1930 1,751,343 Mack Mar. 18, 1930 1,789,977 Hopkins Jan. 27, 1931 2,264,914 LOrange Dec. 2, 1941 2,440,245 Chevigny Apr. 27, 1948 2,526,405 Peeps Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 562,864 Great Britain July 19, 1944 

